• The Manalapan Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee will host a Veterans Day celebration at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the veterans memorial in front of town hall, Route 522. All veterans and community members are welcome to attend. U.S. Air Force Capt. (retired) Dave Drummond will relate some of his experiences as a Vietnam veteran Prisoner of War. He and his wife, Jill, have been lifelong residents of New Jersey and residents of Manalapan for 40 years. Following the ceremony, veterans are invited to enjoy a light breakfast. Details: 732-446-8308.
• The Noontime Optimist Club of Freehold is beginning its 29th year of community service to the area, with the focus on youth (scholarships, spelling bees, essay contests, fishing derbies, holiday gifts, helping out at the local soup kitchen and supporting Camp Quality, a camp for children with cancer). New members are invited to join the club. Details: 732-431-3989 or email [email protected]
• A holiday boutique will be held at the Old Tennent Presbyterian Church, Tennent Road, Manalapan, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 11. Crafts, jewelry, food and more. Details: 732-446-6299 or email [email protected]
• The B’nai B’rith Ketubah Unit (50-plus) will host a Hanukkah party at Fred & Murry’s Kosher Deli, Freehold Township, from 1-5 p.m. Dec. 10. There will be a full kosher deli buffet luncheon, entertainment and tricky tray. The cost is $32 per person (includes tax and tip). Prospective couples and singles are welcome to attend. No walk-ins. RSVP to Elaine at 908-232-0062 no later than Dec. 1.
• The Ms. New Jersey Senior America Pageant 2018 is seeking contestants age 60 and over. Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City will host the pageant on June 6. There are four judging categories: Evening Gown; Philosophy of Life; Talent; and Judges Interview. The winner will participate in the Ms. Senior America Pageant 2018. Individuals interested in becoming a contestant may contact Terry Meade at 609-443-3039, 908-216-8534 or via email at [email protected]
• The Marlboro K-8 School District Board of Education has rescheduled a regular meeting from 7 p.m. Nov. 21 to 7 p.m. Nov. 28 at the district’s administration building, 1980 Township Drive. The meeting is open to the public.
• The Elks National Foundation is offering scholarships to high school seniors who are U.S. citizens. Applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks. Males and females compete separately and are judged on scholarship, leadership and financial need. The application is completed online and must be submitted by Nov. 27. Applications and details available at elks.org/scholars
• Residents interested in careers in the culinary arts, event planning, travel, tourism and other hospitality fields are invited to free information sessions hosted by Brookdale Community College. A culinary and pastry arts information session will be held at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Culinary Education Center, 101 Drury Lane, Asbury Park. To RVSP, call Elizabeth Lehmann at 732-774-3782. A hospitality management information session will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 30 in Larrison Hall, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft. To RVSP, call Linda Morris at 732-224-2258.
• Morganville United Methodist Church, 215 Conover Road (just off Route 79), Marlboro, will host its fall Nearly New Rummage Sale on Nov. 10-11. Sale times are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10; on Nov. 11, from 9 a.m. to noon, a bag sale will be held (all that fits in a shopping bag for $5 or $8 for two bags). A separate boutique section offers new and specialty items. Food will be available for purchase. Proceeds benefit the missions of the church. Details: 732-946-4247.
• The National Council of Jewish Women, Central Jersey section, will host its
membership appreciation luncheon on Nov. 15 at the All Seasons Diner, Freehold Township. The event celebrates the organization’s membership and is an occasion for members to meet and greet each other at the start of a new year. The cost is $20 per person and is open to NCJW members. To become a member or for further information call Sylvia Schecter at 732-972-7726.
• Sportika Sports, 150 Woodward Road, Manalapan, and strategic partner Peter Grandich and Company, in association with Shore Sports Network, will host a viewing party at 4:25 p.m. Nov. 12 for the New York Giants vs. San Francisco 49ers football game. Keith Elias, a former running back with the Giants and Colts, will be on hand to greet fans. Admission is free; those who wish to attend are asked to email [email protected]
• St. Thomas More Parish, 186 Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan, is offering a women’s bible study this fall. Registration in ongoing. The program aims to bring women to a closer relationship with Christ. Details: Email Christine Melilli at [email protected] or call 732-778-4933.
• The Colts Neck Police Department and PBA Local 333 will hold a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 13 at police headquarters, 124 Cedar Drive, in response to Las Vegas shooting incident. Donors must present a photo or signature ID, be at least 16 years old with parental consent and weigh at least 120 pounds. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment by calling Richard Zarillo, 732-780-7323.
• Monmouth County college-bound art students are invited to apply for the 2018 Elaine Smith Memorial Art Scholarship. To apply, search online for Elaine Smith Memorial Art Scholarship and download the application. The application deadline is Jan. 31. Details: Merrill Tilker, Around the Corner Art Center, 732-308-4666.
• The Freehold Memorial Day Parade, in conjunction with Jersey Freeze, Route 9 and Manalapan Avenue, Freehold, will host a fundraiser on Nov. 14. Jersey Freeze will give 20 percent of a guest’s pre-tax check to the parade committee to support the 2018 parade. Guests should bring the flier (good for food and/or ice cream) or tell the hostess they are there for for the parade. Visit www.freeholdmemorialdayparade.com to download the flier.
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America-Monmouth Chapter welcomes stitchers of all levels at its meetings. There are sit and stitch tables and special projects. Day stitchers will meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540, or www.mcega.org
• No Stigma Network is a nonprofit organization offering programs for individuals living with mental health challenges. No Stigma Network will host a bowling party fundraiser from 5-7 p.m. Nov. 12 at Howell Lanes, Howell. A $20 ticket per person ($15 for those 12 and younger) purchased in advance buys two bowling games, shoe rental, two slices of pizza, soft drink and dessert. Tickets will be $25 per person on the day of the event. Other fun activities will also be available. Details: Shrabanee, 732-533-7632, or Linda, 732-939-2092, or email [email protected]
• The Center for Jewish Life, 176 Route 79 North, Marlboro, will host a Hanukkah carnival from noon to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 10. Admission: $18 per child, ages 2-12, (complimentary to partner families), includes all games and pizza lunch. RSVP at www.cjlnj.com or 732-316-7600.
• The Center for Jewish Life JTeen Club will host an event for teens ages 13-17 at iPlay America, Freehold Township, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 7. Admission: $25, includes unlimited pizza, rides, arcades, video games, laser tag, go-karts, 4D theater and a $5 game card. RSVP by Nov. 23 at www.cjlnj.com or 732-316-7600.
• The Center for Jewish Life Women’s Circle will host a wine and sushi event at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at 176 Route 79 North, Marlboro. Cover is $40 (complimentary to partners). RSVP to www.cjlnj.com or 732-316-7600.
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township, will present Notes N’ Nosh at 1 p.m. Dec. 6. Learn how to make note cards using individual artistic expression. Desserts will be served. Tickets: $25 per person (includes supplies). To make a reservation, call 732-252-6990 or visit www.jhmomc.org
• From 6-8 p.m. Nov. 15, the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District will host its second annual Parent University. Workshops will help parents/guardians gain a better understanding of the curriculum in the district’s schools and provide parents with tools and strategies to support their children at home and beyond the classroom. Parent University will be held at the Pine Brook School, 155 Pease Road. Information about the workshops and registration can be found at www.mers.k12.nj.us
• The Monmouth County Audubon Society will host a bird walk on Sandy Hook in northern Monmouth County on Dec. 9. Meet at 10 a.m. in the parking lot by the old visitors center, 1.8 miles north of the park entrance. Open to members and non-members of the society. Participation is free. Dress for the weather (can be cool and blustery). Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• The Italian American Cultural Society of New Jersey will host a dinner meeting on Nov. 9 at Christie’s Italian Seafood Grill, Howell. The restaurant is BYOB. The cost is $35 per person for society members and $45 for non-members. Cash is preferred, no credit cards. To reserve seating, call Allan Deseno at 732-780-8461 or Richard Favara at 732-861-9465. For more information, visit www.italianamericansnj.com
• The Manalapan Seniors will host a “Senior Celebration” from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Battleground Country Club, Manalapan. The cost is $40 per person and includes lunch and entertainment by the Uptown Getdowns. All seniors are invited. Details: 732-446-8401.
• From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 11, the Monmouth County Park System will host its fall craft show at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls. This seasonal craft show will feature more than 50 local artists and crafters and their work. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township, presents Irving Berlin: A Talk by Marty Schneit at 2 p.m. Nov. 19. Tickets are $8 for museum members and $10 for non-members. Schneit is a New York City tour guide and historian. He will shed light on the life and career of one of the symbols American popular music. To make a paid reservation, call 732-252-6990.
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township, presents Marc Chagall, Part 2: A talk and film led by Professor Maurice Mahler at 1 p.m. Nov. 15. Tickets are $10 for museum members and $12 for non-members. The film “Chagall’s Journey” was created for NBC in 1985 and has not been seen since. To make a paid reservation, call 732-252-6990.
• Rick Radis will present “Return of the Raven” at the 8 p.m. Nov. 8 meeting of the Monmouth County Audubon Society at the Knights of Columbus hall, 200 Fair Haven Road, Fair Haven. The public is welcome; admission is free. Radis will cover the historic status of the common raven in eastern North America from the late 1880s, its return in the 1990s, and its present status as a nesting species in many areas of New Jersey and the eastern states. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• Monmouth County has a backyard composting session scheduled at Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown, on Nov. 18. The free 45-minute sessions begin at 10 a.m. and will explain the how to’s of reducing yard and household waste and improving soil. Advance registration is required. To reserve a seat, call 732-683-8686, ext. 6721.
• Genealogist James Beidler will present “Contrasting German Migrations” at the 1:30 p.m. Nov. 12 meeting of the Monmouth County Genealogy Society at the Community Center, 72 Broad St., Eatontown. Beidler will discuss the two major waves of German migration to the United States. The program is free and the public is welcome. Details: 732-747-0090.
• Disabled American Veterans Chapter 74, Freehold, will meet at 7 p.m. Nov. 28 at the American Legion, 62 W. Main St. Freehold. Chapter members, DAV members-at-large who are seeking a chapter and veterans with disabilities who are seeking assistance and advice are welcome to attend the meeting. Dinner of pizza and subs is provided.
• The Deep Cut Orchid Society meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month (Nov. 14) at the Monmouth Reform Temple, 332 Hance Ave., Tinton Falls. There is a speaker, refreshments and a discussion of plants on the show table. There is no cost to attend and everyone is welcome.
• Old Tennent Presbyterian Church, 448 Tennent Road, Manalapan, will host “Journey to Bethlehem,” a free Christmas drive-through, on its grounds from 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 2-3. Live scenes will begin with Isaiah telling of Jesus’ birth and ending with the Nativity scene. To sponsor or participate, call 732-446-6299.
• Single Active Seniors (SAS) is a discussion and activity group for men and women over 55. SAS meets every Sunday at 12:30 p.m. in the Colts Neck Reformed Church, Route 537 West, Colts Neck (in the white building to the right of the church). Social activities are introduced and group participation is encouraged. There are no fees and all are welcome to attend. Details: Email [email protected], subject line, SAS.
• The Old Bridge Toastmasters Club meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 7:15-9 p.m. at the Sayre Woods Bible Church, 2290 Route 9 South, Old Bridge. The club seeks to help individuals become better speakers and better leaders. There is no cost to attend a meeting and residents of all towns are welcome to attend. Details: 908-906-4926 or http://oldbridge.toastmastersclubs.org/
• A free yoga class is offered every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Morganville United Methodist Church, 215 Conover Road, Marlboro. All are welcome. Bring a mat or a large towel. Details: 732-946-4247 or 732-536-2031.
• New Jersey Blood Services is in need of volunteers to work blood drives in Ocean and Monmouth counties. Tasks include assisting donors with registration, watching donors for post-donation reactions and responding to their needs. Details: Jan Zepka, 732-616-8741.
• The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance will meet in the spiritual center of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 1 Phalanx Road, Colts Neck, from 7:30-9 p.m. every Thursday. Details: 732-536-5826 or 732-320-0029.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.